The NDP say emails obtained using a Freedom of Information request show one of Stephen McNeil’s first priorities as premier was getting his former communications director, Glennie Langille, a job in the protocol office.

The documents show that Langille, who ran as a candidate for Pictou West and Premier McNeil’s Chief of Staff, Kirby McVicar, discussed “re-jigging” her resume specifically for the protocol office on Oct. 24, just two days after the Liberal government was sworn in.

“Here is my resume. I really don’t think it works for the purpose you requested,” Langille said, in one e-mail. “I am trying to get it re-jigged.”

Another email, on Nov. 4, involved Langille asking what the salary was for the Deputy Chief Protocol Officer and when the transition from Deputy Chief Protocol Officer to Chief Protocol Officer would occur. The Deputy Chief Protocol Officer is a civil service position and was occupied at the time.

At the time of the appointment McNeil told media that other names had been brought forward but he felt Langille was the best choice. NDP leader Maureen MacDonald says it’s clear the opposite was true.

“Stephen McNeil didn’t take the time to review any other names, in fact we now know he was determined to give Glennie Langille a job in the protocol office from day one,” said MacDonald. “Whether or not she was qualified was irrelevant, in fact Glennie Langille herself even suggests her resume wasn’t what they were looking for.”

She added: “If Glennie Langille truly was the most qualified person to be Chief of Protocol for the province of Nova Scotia her resume would have spoken for itself, it wouldn’t have required re-jigging."